Entertaining, but not really a mystery/thriller

STORY (fiction) - This is Book 6 is the series, but it's my first Phryne Fisher book. It's set in Australia sometime in the 1920's. In this story Phryne (pronounced "Frynie"), who is a young lady of privilege, joins a traveling circus to try to learn why so many strange accidents have been occurring. IMHO, the story is really all about Phryne's experience posing as a trick rider in the circus and the characters she meets -- not a lot of mystery or detective work.

The circus characters are interesting and endearing, and I enjoyed the glimpse of circus life. Phryne is promiscuous and "romps" with a couple circus characters, which I was totally not expecting from this book or from her character. The story is a fresh, easy listen.

PERFORMANCE - Great job. She has a pleasant voice and performs multiple European accents. I totally LOVED her performance of the character Lizard Elsie.

OVERALL - Recommended primarily for adult females. There are a couple sexual encounters which are moderately explicit. Very little violence. The character Lizard Elsie is an old woman who curses like a sailor so be prepared for her frequent bursts of F this and F that, but she's a hoot! The story stands alone.

7 people found this helpful

Danger and Joys in the Circus

Overcome by boredom, Phryne allows herself to be convinced by some circus friends to join a travelling circus in order to discover who is behind a string of "accidents" which threaten to shut the circus down. She gets hired as a rider in the trained horse act by learning and then demonstrating her ability to stand and stay standing on a cantering horse.

This balancing act is explained in terms that allow me to understand how it can possibly be done. That's one of the side benefits that I enjoy about reading Phryne Fisher books -- Kerry Greenwood always gives the reader some tidbit of knowledge, whether it is some bit of Australian geography or history, cultural history, or how to balance on a moving horse.

This is the first tale of Phryne working independently, with none of her ordinary backup team. Thus she is in more danger and less sure of herself. That makes this 6th Phryne Book a bit more serious than the others. And it also involves a sexual liaison which is more serious than in other books. But, of course, Phryne discovers and exposes the villain with her usual style and grace.

This book was very enjoyable for me, even though it is not as lighthearted as previous books in the series. As usual, Stephanie Daniel does a top notch job of narration. I especially enjoyed the conversation at the end between author and narrator, including the author's story of learning how to stand on a moving horse when she was a child.

Well worth you time.

8 people found this helpful

Phryne goes to the circus

Where does Blood and Circuses rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

All the Phryne Fisher books rank near the top of my favorites. I love Phryne Fisher

Who was your favorite character and why?

Phryne is my favorite character because I was very much like her in my youth.

Have you listened to any of Stephanie Daniel???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to other Phryne Fisher books and Ms. Daniel's reading is always wonderful. I love her different voices but her reading style doesn't distract from the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Phryne heads for the Big Top.

Any additional comments?

A lovely window on '20's Australia. Not to be missed!

4 people found this helpful

Maybe it needs an R rating

If you don't like sex scenes then read the book. Hard to know how much of the Audible story I missed because I'm not interested in explicit sex scene and skipped ahead to avoid them.. Great story except for the soft porn. Excellent performance, though, and the actual story about the circus was great.

1 person found this helpful

Miss Fisher joins the circus

A bit darker than her usual books, I think, but a great adventure drawing Miss Fisher out of her comfort zone. Investigating murder and sabotage in a traveling circus, she learns trick riding as her cover. Helped by some of the circus people and their bear, Miss Fisher and her friendly policeman, Jack, bring the culprits to justice.

1 person found this helpful

Another Winner for Phryne

Where does Blood and Circuses rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book ranks well in the Phryne series. Interesting plot and sub-plots and excellent reader - Kerry Greenwood writes a wonderful yarn and Stephanie Daniel brings it all to life.

Which scene was your favorite?

The detail of circus life and the training required by the horse folk.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I've seen the ABC1 version and truthfully unless you take all of the book and are true to the Kerry Greenwood Phryne I'm not certain it would be a good move separate from the series.

1 person found this helpful

clowing around

We find our heroin ,under the big top of a struggling circus,board with her mundane life she gives up the maids and a soft bed for the rugged and harsh circus grounds ,were she is tested socially and psychically finding solace in the arms of a sad clown. There is a lot of swearing in this thanks to the very lovable lizard Elsy ,I only mention in case this turns you away from the ever entertaining Miss Fisher,which would be a great pity.

3 people found this helpful

Another Great Adventure with Phryne!

This series is wonderful and a fun listen. I love Phryne's adventures. Kerry Greenwood is an excellent author and Stephanie Daniel's voice superb. Don't worry if you start with this book, all is explained, so you won't be lost wondering who is who.

3 people found this helpful

Pfriney shows her true grit!

A great insight into life in country Victoria in the roaring 20’s… took me right back to my mothers tales of her childhood visits to circuses that toured around Victoria… beautifully portrayed and written as are all the miss fisher audible stories.

Phryne continues to entertain

Another well researched setting for Phyne’s adventure into the realm of carnival life. She leaves behind every luxury she is used to in order to help an old friend. Stephanie Daniel’s performance narrating was outstanding , capturing emotions and giving character to the each person.